The 28-year-old last featured for die Mannschaft at the last World Cup, earning a third-place medal after appearing as a substitute in the wins over England and Uruguay.

Kiessling, who has hit six goals in 10 league games for Leverkusen so far in 2012-13, maintains that he is still open to a recall, though also concedes that he has not had contact with Joachim Low for years.

"Of course, one hopes. It is an honour to play for Germany. I am 28, and I have not yet written off my chances of a return. We will see in the next few years what is to come," Kiessling told Bild.

"But it's okay for me. I can fully focus on Bayer, my main job, and do not have to deal with this national team issue. After the 2010 World Cup, I was a bit broken.

"I'm not disappointed, because I already expected this. I am focused on Leverkusen. We are still in three competitions and we want to achieve something."

Kiessling and his team-mates travel to Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga on Sunday.